Religious Persecution:
Coming Soon or Already Here?
Coming Soon or Already Here?
Some Christians say we are not being persecuted in the west. Other's point out that persecution rarely
starts with the worst kind of government control but instead with the slow erosion of our rights. How should the church respond? Join us February 7, 2026 for the Canadian Religious Freedom Summit, in-person and online.
starts with the worst kind of government control but instead with the slow erosion of our rights. How should the church respond? Join us February 7, 2026 for the Canadian Religious Freedom Summit, in-person and online.
Religious Persecution: Coming soon or already here?
When we think of religious persecution, we often think of far-off countries where Christians aren’t allowed to practice their faith. They can’t gather in worship, pray publicly or share their faith.
Sadly, many Canadians are starting to see the beginning of persecution here. Governments have restricted worship, arrested peaceful Christian protestors and silenced Christian staff who object to practices like MAID. The provincial government of Quebec has even announced a plan to ban public prayer.
Some Christians say we aren’t being persecuted. We can’t even compare what is happening to Christians here to believers around the world. But others point out that persecution rarely starts with the worst kind of government control. It starts with the slow erosion of our rights, just like what we’re experiencing in Canada.
At this year’s Religious Freedom Summit, we’ll here from key Christian leaders who will share their experience in Canadian politics. They’ll discuss the kind of persecution they’ve faced and how they see that persecution growing. They’ll also show us what Christians can do to protect those freedoms.
Join us at Summit 2026 where we’ll be launching a new strategy to protect religious freedom for all Canadians.
Sadly, many Canadians are starting to see the beginning of persecution here. Governments have restricted worship, arrested peaceful Christian protestors and silenced Christian staff who object to practices like MAID. The provincial government of Quebec has even announced a plan to ban public prayer.
Some Christians say we aren’t being persecuted. We can’t even compare what is happening to Christians here to believers around the world. But others point out that persecution rarely starts with the worst kind of government control. It starts with the slow erosion of our rights, just like what we’re experiencing in Canada.
At this year’s Religious Freedom Summit, we’ll here from key Christian leaders who will share their experience in Canadian politics. They’ll discuss the kind of persecution they’ve faced and how they see that persecution growing. They’ll also show us what Christians can do to protect those freedoms.
Join us at Summit 2026 where we’ll be launching a new strategy to protect religious freedom for all Canadians.
Location
Online stream and in-person at the Metropolitan Bible Church in Ottawa
Date & Time
February 7, 2026
01:00 PM - 5:00 PM EST
02:30 PM - 6:30 PM NST
02:00 PM - 6:00 PM AST
12:00 PM - 4:00 PM CST
11:00 AM - 3:00 PM MST
10:00 AM - 2:00 PM PST
01:00 PM - 5:00 PM EST
02:30 PM - 6:30 PM NST
02:00 PM - 6:00 PM AST
12:00 PM - 4:00 PM CST
11:00 AM - 3:00 PM MST
10:00 AM - 2:00 PM PST
Speakers
Host and Emcee
Nigel Hannaford
senior columnisT, Western Standard
Nigel Hannaford is a senior columnist and former Opinion Editor of the Western Standard based in the Calgary Headquarters. He was a senior columnist and editorial board member of the Calgary Herald from 1999-2009, and served as the chief speechwriter to Stephen Harper from 2009-2015.
Keynote Speakers
Dr. R. Albert Mohler
(Pre-recorded)
President, Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
Dr. R. Albert Mohler Jr. serves as president of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary – the flagship school of the Southern Baptist Convention. Dr. Mohler is a theologian and an ordained minister, having served as pastor and staff minister of several Southern Baptist churches. He came to the presidency of Southern Seminary
from service as editor of The Christian Index, the oldest of the state papers serving the
Southern Baptist Convention. He has contributed to over 100 other published works. In addition to his presidential duties, Dr. Mohler hosts two podcasts: “The Briefing,” a daily analysis of news and events from a Christian worldview; and “Thinking in Public.” He also serves as the editor of WORLD Opinions, writing regular commentary on moral, cultural and theological issues. A native of Lakeland, Fla., Dr. Mohler holds a master of divinity degree and the doctor of
philosophy (in systematic and historical theology) from Southern Seminary. He is
married to Mary, and they have two children.
https://albertmohler.com
from service as editor of The Christian Index, the oldest of the state papers serving the
Southern Baptist Convention. He has contributed to over 100 other published works. In addition to his presidential duties, Dr. Mohler hosts two podcasts: “The Briefing,” a daily analysis of news and events from a Christian worldview; and “Thinking in Public.” He also serves as the editor of WORLD Opinions, writing regular commentary on moral, cultural and theological issues. A native of Lakeland, Fla., Dr. Mohler holds a master of divinity degree and the doctor of
philosophy (in systematic and historical theology) from Southern Seminary. He is
married to Mary, and they have two children.
https://albertmohler.com
Stockwell Day
(remote stream)
Former Leader of the Opposition, Canadian Parliament
Day served in the cabinet of the provincial Alberta government in the 1990’s. In 2000, Stockwell Day won the leadership of the Canadian Alliance and became Leader of Canada’s Official Opposition. During that year’s election, Day was consistently attacked for his Christian beliefs which lead to many Canadians wondering if Christians were welcomed in the government.
In the subsequent election, Day served in various positions in the Canadian government. After leaving the government, he started a consulting agency, Stockwell Day Connex Ltd., serving clients and organizations globally in the private and public domain. He is a regular media commentator and speaker, known nationally and internationally.
https://stockwellday.com/
In the subsequent election, Day served in various positions in the Canadian government. After leaving the government, he started a consulting agency, Stockwell Day Connex Ltd., serving clients and organizations globally in the private and public domain. He is a regular media commentator and speaker, known nationally and internationally.
https://stockwellday.com/
Faytene Grasseschi
CO-Founder and Director, Faytene TV
Grasseschi mobilizes Canadian Christians to engage our elected officials. She has spoken to
Parliamentary Committees and is regarded as a voice on social justice issues both at Parliament
and grassroots forums across Canada. She organizes national prayer events, internship
programs for Christian students on Parliament Hill and ran for office in New Brunswick’s most
recent provincial election. During that election, she was consistently attacked for her faith. Grasseschi has also hosted a Christian talk show for several years, focusing on Canadian political and social issues relevant to Christians. Her work has been featured on various national and regional news outlets across Canada. She was recognized by Charisma Magazine as one of the
world’s top 21 most influential next generation leaders and has been awarded the ANCJ
Emerging Leadership Award in Jerusalem.
https://www.faytene.tv/
Parliamentary Committees and is regarded as a voice on social justice issues both at Parliament
and grassroots forums across Canada. She organizes national prayer events, internship
programs for Christian students on Parliament Hill and ran for office in New Brunswick’s most
recent provincial election. During that election, she was consistently attacked for her faith. Grasseschi has also hosted a Christian talk show for several years, focusing on Canadian political and social issues relevant to Christians. Her work has been featured on various national and regional news outlets across Canada. She was recognized by Charisma Magazine as one of the
world’s top 21 most influential next generation leaders and has been awarded the ANCJ
Emerging Leadership Award in Jerusalem.
https://www.faytene.tv/
Hyeon Soo Lim
Pastor
Hyeon Soo Lim is a Korean-Canadian pastor. He was providing millions of dollars of
aid to North Koreans when he disappeared in February 2015. The North Korean government had arrested him, claiming he was speaking out against their regime. On December 2015, Lim was sentenced to life in prison, doing hard labour for long hours a day. Lim was released from detention on August 9, 2017 after the intervention of the Trudeau government.
aid to North Koreans when he disappeared in February 2015. The North Korean government had arrested him, claiming he was speaking out against their regime. On December 2015, Lim was sentenced to life in prison, doing hard labour for long hours a day. Lim was released from detention on August 9, 2017 after the intervention of the Trudeau government.
Luc Angers
President, Unité Voix pour les Valeurs Chrétiennes
Luc Angers is the president of the Unité Voix pour les Valeurs Chrétiennes (UVVC). UVVC is a Christian advocacy group in Quebec, speaking out for Christians on issues like the public prayer ban and the provincial laicity law which outlaws any form of faith in the public square. Public School Teacher for over 30 years and presently professor at the University of Ottawa, Luc formerly served as a Gatineau councilor. Beyond his professional life, Luc is actively involved as the co-director for Promise Keepers (Impactus) in Quebec and maintains a passion for running and traveling. He is married with two adult children.
www.uvvc.ca
www.uvvc.ca
Jojo Ruba
Executive Director, Canadian Religious Freedom Summit
With over 20 years of experience in apologetics, Christian communications and public policy, Jojo Ruba specializes in helping Christians engage in thoughtful conversations with their friends, neighbours and even with the public.
Steve Brown
Steve Brown is passionate about sharing his faith on Vancouver streets as a street preacher. One time, as he preached, by-standers filed a complaint against him with the police, claiming he was loud and hateful, something Steve denies. The police charged him for mischief. Steve reached out to Carol Crossan who took his case. After almost two years in court, his case was dismissed late last year. Steve will share his experiences preaching the gospel of the Lord Jesus on the streets and the need to defend the right to continue to boldly proclaim it publicly.
William Swinimer
William Swinimer grew up in Nova Scotia where he attended Forest Heights Community High School. As a committed Christian, he often shared his faith with his classmates. But in 2012 when he wore a T-shirt that said, “Life is wasted without Jesus,” he was suspended. As he did not want to in anyway deny Christ and still wanted to use the T-shirt as a door to share the gospel with his peers, he continued to wear it and received more and more suspensions. He still has a formal reprimand on his record today. The Education Minister of Nova Scotia at the time stated that students should NOT be able to criticize other people’s religious beliefs. The principal told him that these kind of messages are hate talk, make people feel unsafe at school, and that these kinds of messages caused people to commit suicide. William explained that he only wanted people to experience the joy, peace and life in Christ Jesus that he had found.
Don't miss out.
We look forward to having you join us in-person or online!
The Freedom Summit is offered without a registration fee; however, we depend on your generous contributions to make this event possible. Suggested contributions are $25 for in-person attendance and $15 for online participation. Your support is essential to help cover the costs and ensure the success of this event.
The Freedom Summit is offered without a registration fee; however, we depend on your generous contributions to make this event possible. Suggested contributions are $25 for in-person attendance and $15 for online participation. Your support is essential to help cover the costs and ensure the success of this event.
Alan Shlemon on conversational tactics for difficult hot topics
Dr. Iain Provan on why he’ll be talking about the cuckoo bird at the Summit.
Schedule
1:00 PM
Opening Remarks and Prayer
1:10 PM
Dr. Carl Truman: Strange New World: The Rise and Triumph of the Modern Self
1:55 PM
Prof. Ian Provan: Cuckoos in Our Nest: Truth and Lies about Being Human
2:30PM
Break
2:45PM
Pastor Dwayne Cline: An Identity Worth Investing In
3:15 PM
Alan Shlemon: Conversational Tactics for Controversial Topics
3:45PM
Break
4:00 PM
Bonus Q & A Panel
4:45PM
Concluding Remarks
5:00PM
Summit End
Conference Location
This conference will be held both online and in-person
Online
Online streaming link will be sent to your email on the day of the event.
In-person
The Metropolitan Bible Church
2176 Prince of Wales Dr,
Ottawa, ON, K2E 0A1, Canada
Online
Online streaming link will be sent to your email on the day of the event.
In-person
The Metropolitan Bible Church
2176 Prince of Wales Dr,
Ottawa, ON, K2E 0A1, Canada
Sponsors
News & Updates
UPDATE: Bill C-4 received Royal Assent on December 8.
On Tuesday, December 7, Bill C-4, which criminalizes conversion therapy, passed the Senate in a single motion. It had already passed the House in a single motion on December 1.
On Tuesday, December 7, Bill C-4, which criminalizes conversion therapy, passed the Senate in a single motion. It had already passed the House in a single motion on December 1.
On Tuesday, December 7th the Canadian Senate passed Bill C-4, effectively banning the practice known as conversion therapy. The bill had been introduced to the House of Commons on November 29th and was approved on December 1st without further debate or study. It received Royal Assent today and will become the law of the land in 30 days.
Contact Us
Our Mission is to protect and promote freedom for gospel ministry in Canada.
The Canadian Religious Freedom Summit is convened and facilitated by the Metropolitan Bible Church, Ottawa, with the gracious help and advice of the Summit’s sponsors.
Please use the following form to contact us or directly through email at [email protected].
Please use the following form to contact us or directly through email at [email protected].